Fantasy Clicks: The T.O. Show Comes to Cincy

Wednesday's signing of Terrell Owens by the Bengals didn't make many fantasyland shockwaves -- unless, of course, you're Antonio Bryant or he's on your dynasty keeper league roster.

The aging Owens is coming off a career-low year with the Bills (55 catches, 829 yards, 5 TDs), but in fairness, was in a tough spot. The offensive coordinator was fired nearly a week before the season started, Marshawn Lynch was suspended and then on the outs, Trent Edwards was, well, Trent Edwards and then got injured, and the snowball rolling downhill got only worse from there.

Owens could fit in nicely as a No. 2 receiver in Cincinnati and should be fantasy relevant again. This bumps Bryant to the No. 3 spot, reducing him from a 9th-round pick to possibly last-round draft fodder. QB Carson Palmer's stock gets a slight uptick, but not enough to shake the fact he's still a fantasy backup. WR Chad Ochocinco takes a slight dip but is holding steady fantasy-lineup wise, as a mid-range WR2 or high end WR3 as a 4th- to 5th-rounder. The Bengals don't wing the ball around as much anymore and Cedric Benson has proven to be a worthy offensive focal point (think of him as a rich man's Rudi Johnson).

Bryant, though reduced in his role, will still be a hungry mouth to feed, so to speak, and there's just one ball and a bevy of high-maintenance personalities (and a quarterback who looked pedestrian after his 2008 elbow injury) to go around. Slide Owens' value up to where Bryant was, and possibly up to the 8th round. Thanks to the analytical prowess of our friends at www.fantasyfootballcalculator.com, Owens' average draft position (ADP) since signing with the Bengals is 10.10, a nice value for a receiver who would make a decent WR4 or 5 in any fantasy lineup. Just be sure to temper expectations, as the Dallas version of TO is long gone and the current one is mostly a possession and red-zone threat. As long as he's more the good soldier than the diva, the Bengals, and many a fantasy owner, will gladly take it.

Goal Line Goodness

When I look at backfield options, especially timeshares with more than one running back, I like to take my chances with the goal line guys with few exceptions. Obviously the all-purpose yardage super powers of Ray Rice make him an easy pick over the often injured and underwhelming Willis McGahee. But if I can get McGahee or a similar full-time goal line vulture in the later rounds over a part-time yardage candidate, I'll jump at it. Here are my top 10 backfield by committee runners who should be the favorites for goal line action this fall. Some will be obvious and a few won't. Keep them in mind come draft day.

1 Beanie Wells, Cardinals: Only a matter of time before he assumes full-time RB duties.2 Pierre Thomas, Saints: No Mike Bell to share with, and Reggie Bush is not an inside-the-tackles threat.3 Brandon Jacobs, Giants: When healthy, Jacobs is the NFL's RB version of Paul Bunyan.4 Marion Barber, Cowboys: More physical than Felix Jones, a healthy Barber is a lock for 10-plus TDs.5 Jonathan Stewart, Panthers: Bigger than DeAngelo Williams, and is almost as explosive.6 Willis McGahee, Ravens: A goal line threat, McGahee has proven to be tough at the stripe.7 Ben Tate, Texans: A big straight-line runner who might be the every down back over Steve Slaton.8 Michael Bush, Raiders: Even if McFadden makes a comeback, Bush is a better short-yardage choice.9 Fred Jackson, Bills: With Marshawn Lynch in the doghouse, he's the strongest runner Buffalo has.10 Larry Johnson, Redskins: A longshot to play, but is a bigger back than Clinton Portis and Willie Parker.

Rank And File

Here are my top 150 players regardless of position heading into training camp. The most movement has come at the receiver position, including the rise of Wes Welker and his surprising road to recovery, the fall of suspended Charger Vincent Jackson and the first appearance of the Bengals' Owens.

More Fantasy

We've Got Apps Too

Get expert analysis, unrivaled access, and the award-winning storytelling only SI can provide - from Peter King, Tom Verducci, Lee Jenkins, Seth Davis, and more - delivered straight to you, along with up-to-the-minute news and live scores.